Atletico Madrid rested some players ahead of the Wednesday Champions League clash with German side Bayern Munich.

The La Liga side seem to have found their mojo again. Diego Simeone has been sterling since taking over at the Madrid-based outfit. Despite two disappointing Champions League finals result against Real, they seem to be ready to have another go at the title this season. Simeone thought it wise to rest some players, and save some firepower for the German machines.

Atletico scored nine goals when they recently met Celta Vigo and Sporting Gijon. In the UCL, they thrashed PSV Eindhoven 1-0, and played a 1-1 draw with Barcelona. They are quite difficult to stop when they are in this form, and Simeone doesn’t want fatigue to be in the way of the players’ performance when they face Bayern in the Champions League.

Atletico played Deportivo in the La Liga on Sunday, leaving out star players Stefan Savic and Saul Niguez. Others like Kevin Gameiro and Gabi and started from the bench, while the others played so the game is not thrown away. Bayern have won six game in six matched in the Bundesliga this term, and have already registered a five-star performance in the 5-0 routing of an opposition in the Champions League.

Godin would have to ready mentally and physically to stop Robert Lewandowski. Savic and Gimenez would have to be ready for Bayern, as the attacks from Deportivo – who are already missing Lucas Perez, and whose replacements Joselu and Ryan Babel are nothing compared to the Germans – seem to rarely startle them. Captain Gabi would need to bring his leadership skills to the fore when they play one of their biggest games yet this season. Atletico defeated Deportivo 1-0 but might not be that lucky against Bayern.